Coral Coast

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The Coral Coast is an 80km (50 mile) stretch of small beaches and bays along the southern coast of Fiji's main island - Viti Levu. You can't miss the large coral reef that dominates views from the shoreline, offering endless opportunites to beachcomb and explore underwater nooks and crannies. Known for its many family-friendly resorts, the Coast gives you the full resort experience and a peek at the real Fiji in the many villages along the way.

History

Korolevu, on the Coral Coast, is the birthplace of Fiji tourism. A brilliant stretch of white beach dotted by copious lush vegetation, popular back-packers, hotels and resorts still line its beautiful shore.

The place that started it all is the Korolevu Beach Hotel. Built in the 1950s by pioneer hotelier Bill Clarke on 76 acres of prime real estate, it was an immediate hit with the colonial expatriates of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Korolevu is believed to be the first place where individual bungalow-style units were called "bures.” Clarke was also the pioneer of cultural shows to educate guests about the local lifestyle. Long since closed, the Beach hotel’s legacy is a still-thriving tourist industry as guests continue to arrive, drawn by Fiji’s natural beauty and Fijian’s natural hospitality.

Accommodation

Resorts dot the many beautiful bays and beaches along the coastline and are available at a range of price points. Many resorts are isolated on their own stretch of beach but a cluster of resorts and restaurants can be found at Korotogo just outside Sigatoka town.

Activities

Sigatoka Valley
Whether by tour bus or on your own 4WD adventure, you can grab a quick bite to eat in Sigatoka town before heading inland along the river to the heart of the island. The patchwork of fertile crop fields give the Valley its nickname: "Fiji's Salad Bowl." Visit the villages of Lawai and Nakabuta, who welcome guests and offer handicrafts and pottery for sale or stopover at a scenic spot for a quick swim and picnic.

Jetboat safaris and ATV cave tours can also be booked for jaunts upriver.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park
The Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park rise steeply at the mouth of the Sigatoka River. The extensive dunes - unusual for a tropical island - extends for several miles along the coast reaching heights of 60m (200ft). The Park is also an archaeological site where early Lapita settlements dating back some 3000 years have been uncovered by shifting sands. If you're a fan of wild beauty, excellent walks and archeological sites, then the Dunes are a must-do. Morning visits - before the blazing heat of midday - is the best time to visit.

The Park is nestled in a small forested valley where native food and timber trees tower above the valley floor filtering sunlight and enabling an enjoyable walk through the cool forest. Visitors will hear the call of barking pigeons, the shrill of honey eaters and the constant, pulsing concert of unseen canopy dwellers. This is about as wild as Fiji gets.

The Park doubles as a captive breeding facility for some of Fiji's endangered native wildlife like the peregrine falcon, Fiji ground frog and crested iguana which are regularly released into their natural environments. It also operates as a free education facility for local schoolchildren.

Dining

Most dining options are confined to the resorts but restaurants and markets at Korotogo and Sigatoka town are worth a visit for some local flavour. Head down to the Sigatoka food market on weekends when they burst with fruit and vegetable from the Valley.

Transport

Buses run continuously between the Nadi International Airport and Suva on the opposite coast of Viti Levu. The ‘stopping bus’ does exactly what it says, picking up whoever waves them down from the side of the road, although there are also express services available.

The entire region falls within 1-2hrs travel from the Nadi International Airport. Most resorts make airport pickups but public buses also run multiple times a day between the Airport and Suva. Simply board an airport bus and let the driver know your hotel destination on the Coral Coast. Its likely that they'll be able to drop you right outside!
Alternatively, you can also hire taxis and car rentals at the Airport.